[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30357-30358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14400]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-271]


Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation; Vermont Yankee Nuclear 
Power Station; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from Facility Operating License 
No. DPR-28, issued to Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (the 
licensee), for operation of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station 
(the facility) located in Windham County, Vermont.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would grant relief from the technical 
requirements of Section III.G of Appendix R to Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, Part 50, to the extent that it specifies the 
separation of certain redundant safe shutdown circuits with fire-rated 
barriers. Alternatively, the licensee proposes to use fire resistant 
cables in plant areas on the 280 foot elevation of the Reactor 
Building.
    The proposed exemption is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated May 28, 1996, as supplemented by letters dated July 
26, 1996, and November 15, 1996.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The need for this action arises because Paragraph III.G.2.c of 
Section III.G, ``Fire protection of safe shutdown capability,'' of 
Appendix R to 10 CFR Part 50, requires:
    Enclosure of cable and equipment and associated non-safety circuits 
of one redundant train in a fire barrier having a 1-hour fire rating. 
In addition, fire detectors and an automatic fire suppression system 
shall be installed in the fire area.
    The licensee requested an exemption from these requirements to 
allow the use of fire resistant cables instead of enclosing the cables 
in fire barriers having a 1-hour fire resistance rating. The licensee 
proposed to use Rockbestos Firezone R Appendix R fireproof cable to 
control equipment necessary to ensure Reactor Building corner room 
cooling in the event of a fire in the Cable Vault. An exemption is 
needed because the Firezone R cables do not meet the literal 
requirements of the regulation.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
exemption and concludes that the proposed exemption will provide 
sufficient fire protection and that there is no increase in the risk of 
fires at the facility. Consequently, the probability of fires has not 
been increased and the post-fire radiological releases will not be 
greater than previously determined, nor does the proposed exemption 
otherwise affect radiological plant effluents.
    The change will not increase the probability or consequences of 
accidents, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that 
may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in the 
allowable individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. 
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
actions involve features located entirely within the restricted area as 
defined in
    10 CFR Part 20. They do not affect nonradiological plant effluents 
and have no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the Commission 
concludes that there are no significant nonradiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed actions.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental

[[Page 30358]]

impact associated with the proposed actions, any alternatives with 
equal or greater environmental impact need not be evaluated. As an 
alternative to the proposed actions, the staff considered denial of the 
proposed actions. Denial of the application would result in no change 
in current environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the 
proposed actions and the alternative action are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    These actions do not involve use of resources not previously 
considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the Vermont Yankee 
Nuclear Power Station.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on April 3, 1997, the staff 
consulted with the Vermont State official, Mr. William K. Sherman of 
the Vermont Department of Public Service, regarding the environmental 
impact of the proposed actions. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
that the proposed actions will not have a significant effect on the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed exemption.
    For further details with respect to the proposed actions, see the 
application dated May 28, 1996, as supplemented by letters dated July 
26, 1996, and November 15, 1996, which are available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public 
document room located at the Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, 
Brattleboro, VT 05301.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 28th day of May 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Vernon L. Rooney,
Senior Project Manager, Project Directorate I-3, Division of Reactor 
Projects--I/II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-14400 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P